When Ronald and Mona Krebs decided to retire and sell their Orange County, California computer sales and service business, they used a business broker to find a buyer – Mr. Michael Kalashian of Nevada. While they agreed to sell Kalashian their business, they did not agree to sell him substantial business assets consisting of a bank account that contained in excess of 1.5 million dollars – the Krebs’ life savings.
However, Kalashian was able to convince Wells Fargo Bank that he actually owned the Krebs’ bank account, and then stole the Krebs’ life savings. Kalashian then added insult to injury by suing Mr. and Mrs. Krebs for breach of contract and fraud, claiming that the Krebs misled him as to the future viability of the business.
The Krebs sought the assistance of Callahan & Blaine. We counterclaimed against Kalashian for fraud, breach of contract, and for stealing the Krebs’ life savings. After a hard-fought jury trial in the Orange County Superior Court, Callahan & Blaine successfully defeated every one of Kalashian’s claims against the Krebs. Our attorneys then convinced the jury to return a multi-million dollar verdict against Kalashian that included a nominal punitive damage award that prevented Kalashian from attempting to avoid the judgment by bankruptcy. Our lawyers also recovered the Krebs’ attorneys’ fees.
This case reflects yet another situation in which a client asked Callahan & Blaine for help in defending a lawsuit, yet Callahan & Blaine not only defeated the claims against its client, but obtained a positive recovery by an aggressive countersuit.
For the attorneys of Callahan & Blaine, winning is our specialty. For 25 years, Callahan & Blaine has been perfecting the ultimate litigation law firm. All Callahan & Blaine attorneys are highly sophisticated litigators and trial attorneys; we only utilize highly experienced attorneys, all of whom have at least seven years of experience, and many have 15-25 years’ experience. While Callahan & Blaine attorneys are always prepared to take a matter to trial and prevail, Callahan & Blaine attorneys are also highly skilled at settlement and negotiation.
Contact Callahan & Blaine to discuss your business legal issue today.